Ben Stokes pleads not guilty to affray

Following an incident outside a nightclub, and will face a crown court trial, Ben Stokes has pleaded not guilty to affray at Bristol Magistrates’ Court.

He missed the Ashes, as he was suspended from playing for England. The 26-year-old Durham all-rounder is accused of affray along with two other men.

The 28-year-old, Ryan Ali and 26-year-old, Ryan Hale and Stokes appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

Last year, during the early hours of September, it follows an altercation in the Clifton Triangle area of Bristol, several hours after England had played a one-day international against the West Indies in the city.

It is alleged a 27-year-old man suffered a fractured eye socket in the incident, at which fellow England cricketer Alex Hales was also present. Ali, Stokes and Hale spoke to confirm their names, dates of births, addresses and nationalities.

The clerk read out the charges and all three defendants indicated not guilty pleas. On 25th September, the Stokes, of Castle Eden, Durham, is accused of affray at Queens Road in Bristol.

The charge states that his “conduct was such as would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for his personal safety”.

District Judge Simon Cooper told the three defendants: “I have decided that your trial will take place at the crown court at Bristol. The first hearing date will be March 12. You will be on bail.”